Weekly Email July 28th, 2014 Anziano Eads on Crutches

Thanks for the pic of Tean. Glad that he's doing well (Tean is a friend of Anziano Eads who is also on a mission).

Mother, I think you would've known by now, that when any member of the bishopric comes to call, you pretend not to be home, or say that you are really sick and can't come to the door. I'm kidding of course.

I'm glad that you all are speaking about strengthening families. In fact, that's a way we find people to teach, we ask if they want to know how to have a more united family, or a happier family. We tend to teach that the Gosple of Jesus Christ, aka His teachings are what unite the family and make them happier.

Well, it's your talk, so I'll let you do what you want. I would recommend using the Family: Proclamation a little bit. You could also share how living the Gospel has made your own family more united.

I'm glad that you all had fun going up to Logan and Blackfork Canyon and doing all that stuff.  Next year, I can go with you guys on all your trips, when I'm not busy working or studying or qualcosa simliare. I can't wait for the days I can spend with you guys again.

Well, a quick recap of Saturday: I was jumping rope, botched the landing, and sprained my foot. Thus, began the longest week of my entire mission. I hated not being to walk.

First off, my foot is much better. I can finally walk! Okay, I've been walking since Friday, but today I got rid of my crutch that I was using and I'm on my own two feet again. I'm really appreciative of the strengthening/enabling power of the Atonement that has supported me this week. Thankfully, with all the prayers, and the priesthood blessing I recieved, I'm back to at least 95% and I can only go up from here.

Well, enough about me, on to our wonderful investigators. We now have a baptismal date.  Iole, the investigator from Avezzano, now has a baptismal date for the 16th of August, however, we may have to move it back a week due to feragosto, but either way, she's going to make it. She's been making some wonderful progress as well, and  is keeping all the commitments that we give her. NO doubt, that she'll make it. We taught her the Ten Comandaments this week, and it really showed how far she had come.

And Federica as well is making some progress. She didn't make to to church this week, but she did commit herself to coming next week, and she's continuing to read the Book of Mormon, and she says that her prayers are starting to get better. Unfortunately, during the teaching of the Plan of Salvation, we both felt that the baptismal invite would be better delivered this week with the Gospel of Jesus Christ lesson. However, this week, we're going to have two dates, that I know for sure! (Missionaries are now required by Church HQ to teach the 5 lessons before baptism, then reteach them those lessons after baptism and have constant contact with the new member for the first 3 months. After that they are to have weekly contact for the first year which means other missionaries will follow up on new members as missionaries move around The goal is to get them ready to go to the Temple at their year anniversary).

Besides that, we're going to try and grow our English course this week, and see if we can get any new investigators coming in from that, and other finding methods. We're also going to be asking members about how it's going with some of their friends this week, when they get back from their temple trip to Switzerland.

Okay, so my only question to answer this week is this: WHERE HAS MY TIME GONE?!?!?!??!?!

The time is flying by. I'll be skyping you guys before I know it, and then I'll be on my way home....frick....I don't like that. I REALLY don't like that. Too much to do here.

Okay, well, that's been my week. Love you guys!

NaNa


I stole, borrowed these two images from Anziano Eads' companion's blog Aniziano Bethke.  We are parents are so grateful for Aniziano Bethke and for his charity toward Anziano Eads and for his endurance of that trial. It is never easy to stay in the apartment, I remember having to do that once on my own mission over 29 years ago.

 Anziano Eads laid up (notice the Sprite bottle next to him). 

A missionary fridge or diet plan. 

Weekly Email July 21st 2014 Week of Miracles

Deh boya! I don't know where to begin.

Sorry things are so boring at home. Doesn't sound like much is going on. I find it funny that the dogs got into a spat about carrots. I hope our Coda beat our Mocha. That would be funny!

Glad that Dad is almost done with classes and that things are going well with him/you.

Answers to Questions (I think I should just make a FAQ): Yes, last zone conference I asked. We'll see if anything happens. UP to the Lord, I'll accept whatever comes my way.

Bethke and I are getting along fine. I don't know, I've had it really easy to get along with companions in my mission, so I'm not overtly worried about things.

I really like the Melone family, and the Diodato family. They're really great members, always willing to help out when they can.

Dad: When we come back to Italy next summer, Foggia is a for sure. Ragusa is as well. If we have time, I'd like to go back to Sassari, but it's not high on my list. Besides that, any place you guys want to go, I'm down.

As for my week:

Well, it was a week of beautiful miracles, and then well something not so wonderful.

Let's start off with the bad news right away. Saturday morning I was jumping rope, like I normally do for excersize in the morning, and then as I came down on one jump, I botched the landing and sprained my foot.  So, yeah, that's what happened. I'm taking care of it, don't worry.

On the bright side, however two of our investigators are making a good amount of progress.

Frederica is making amazing progress. This week we had a bit of How to Begin Teaching with her on Tuesday, where we found out what her expectations were for meeting with us, and we talked a lot about prayer and how the spirit communicates. It went really well, and she promised that she would pray on her own.

Then on Thursday, we met with her again and taught the Restoration, which went beautifully! The members we had with us bore really strong testimonies, and things just seemed to flow. I love how that works and the Spirit just flows. We all need to bear our testimonies more.  She accepted the commitment to pray to know if the story of the Restoration is true. Then later, as we were going to get pizza, we ran into her again, and talked a little bit more about the Spirit, specifically how one feels when the spirit talks.

Then on Friday, while we're doing weeekly planning she sends us a text and says she was on her way to Rome, and then she got hit by the Spirit in a powerful manifestation! This week, we're going to be teaching the Plan of Salvation and extending the baptismal invite, because we both feel she is well prepared.

Iole has made progress as well. When we met with her, she had kept her commitments, and she came to church this week and enjoyed the meeting. Afterwards we were talking and she wants us over ASAP to continue to help her understand more about the church. We feel that we could potentially have to dates for later this month, if not in August.

Well, that's how our work was this week, and I'm rather pleased that the Lord has blessed us so much, actually, it humbles you when you think how much He loves all of us.  I'm really looking forward to seeing how this week goes, because I feel it will only get better.

Okay, there' all my info for this week, next week! Love you guys!

NaNa

Weekly Email July 14 2014

Well, where to begin on the stuff from home: I know!

I can't believe that Alexis is dating Peachey. That's frickin hilarious to me! I'll send a photo of him in a bit. Whoo boy! Small world!

Mom: (Anziano Peachy told Alexis that in the mission they chant Nathan's last name, Eads and she was curious about it): It's just because my name is so chantable. No, seriously, I have no idea why. Anziano Rasmussen started it in the MTC, and ti's just followed me throughout my mission. I have no control over it. (I'm also a bit of an egotist, so I like the fact that my name is chanted!  )

I like Peachey a lot. He's a good kid, and a good missionary, he was definitely one of the best that was in the mission.

Dad: Cool song. I like the fact that you have the video, I just wish I could see it.

Glad that one of your classes is finally done, and that you should be ready to go by December. That's something that's really cool, and I'm happy for you. And thanks for the two weeks off when I come home, and the images, I find those quite enjoyable!  Also congrats on the weight lost. I think you'll be tied with me at some point. (six months start next month! Get ready!)

Yes that turquiose tie was one I got over here. Hey, can you guys do a quick check on my account and see how much money I have left? I may be buying some new shirts again during saldi.

Both: I salute in the pictures because I can. I didn't feel like making a "live long and prosper" sign, or the "peace" sign I normally do, so I saluted. Be Happy! I don't plan on going in the military, unless I have no choice.

I'm also very happy with your new diet....kinda. I want to work something out where I can still eat meat, and chocolate. I know that if I keep working out (the magical cure all for wight loss) I'll be fine.

I'm also making plans to go and visit the LadyHawke castle, I'll let you know when I go (aka I'll send pics the next P-Day ).

Tell Kendra that I tell her to stick with the job, and that she needs to respond to my email!

As for my week:

Where to begin? I like starting off with the miracles, so, we'll start with the miracle that happened this week.

On the way home from Conferenza di Zona, we received a phone call from one of our members, Fratello Melone. He said he had recieved a call from a member in Rome 3 who had a friend in the military move to L'Aquila, adn that she was reading the Book of Mormon. We contacted her and invited her to english corse.

Well, on Thursday, she showed up, and after the corse ended, we talked for a little bit. Turns out she was an atheist, but things have happened lately that can't be a coincidenze in her eyes, and then there's the Book of Mormon as well, and she's starting to believe. She has a lot of questions, and this week we plan on teaching the Plan of Salvation to help answer those questions. She really seems to want to learn more, and I know that we can help her with that desire.

So, there's our miracle for this week. The Lord has blessed us with a potentially golden investigator.

Let's see, we also tried out gesso this week, and we managed to have two quality conversations. One of the people we talked too had taken the lessons a year ago. We're hoping that we can find him in the area book and make contact once again. Maybe now he's ready for the Gospel.

We also finally made progress with Iole. She expressed a desire to come to chruch, and she's been keeping her commitments. We tried to set things up with a member who lives near her, but he couldn't do it. However, the member did set up an appointment on Wednesday with all of us, so things worked out.

So,. the Lord has definitely been rewarding our faith, and we're seeing the miracles pop up every where! Things are going really well.

Okay, next week.

NaNa

PS, some pictures will be coming, not just of Peachey

That's Peachey! (Lynda, Nathan's Mom, has been teaching the Williams two daughters for a LONG time the piano.  Alexis their oldest daughter is a Cougarette and Peachy has taken her out a few times so thus the small world comment). 

What an Anziano looks like after transfers: me after 12 hours of travel from Ragusa via train and bus (10 hours train, 2 hours bus) .

 BLOCKBUSTER STILL EXISTS!

Wonderful L'Aquila!

 BUNNIES! (Nathan loves bunnies and had a couple as pets growing up. Two were like the white and blacked ear and nose bunny in the first picture. Those are called  Himalayan rabbits). 

 A bacon cheeseburger and that goes with the next picture: Happy 4th of July! 

This is a view from our back window, of L'Aquila. Match that! 

Me next to a car from the WWII era (cool), and showing off my skinniness.

This is our chalk of the plan of salvation...well, a part of it, for contacting. Yep, people ask questions about it. 

The Olive Tree: Sixteen Months of Anziano Eads' Service in a Video

This is not a post by Nathan or Anziano Eads. I, his father am posting it. It is a collection of some (and I apologize if I left someone out, we'll make a larger one after he comes home next March when he can pick the pictures) of the photos he has taken during his time in the Rome, Italy Mission so far. You won't find many of the exotic scenery that is in Italy. What you will see and I know that Nathan has picked up on this from the shear numbers of photos he sends of them, is the most wonderful, most beautiful, most tremendous thing about Italy, it's people and the LDS missionaries serving there.

The music is called The Olive Tree and is based on an allegory in Jacob chapter 5 of the Olive Trees and their fruit. Read it as it truly is all about why our Savior sends out His missionaries. It is out of love, the love found in the ending picture of the video. There is no wound, physical, mental, spiritual that our Savior cannot heal. There is no heart He cannot touch. However, as the allegory points out, he does that through us. Each of us have to find the simple ways that we touch others, that we show our love for others, our Saviors love for them. I think Anziano Eads has found his ways to touch lives and in return, to be so richly blessed and touched by those he reaches out to. You can decide.

"And blessed art thou; for because ye have been diligent in laboring with me in my vineyard, and have kept my commandments, and have brought unto me again the natural fruit, that my vineyard is no more corrupted, and the bad is cast away, behold ye shall have joy with me because of the fruit of my vineyard."  Jacob 5:75 (see Jacob 5:71-72 also).

So here is a simple video of some of the photos of Nathan serving on his mission in Italy. Oh, the first date is the date when Nathan's mother and I got married (kinda started the whole thing) in the Logan, Utah LDS Temple. The second is of the Rome LDS Temple that is under construction and is the date Anziano Eads reported to the MTC.

YouTube Video



Here are the words to the song:

The Olive Tree
Seminary Music: Book of Mormon

There’s a call that comes to you and me.

Strong and clear, to share His truth and light.

It’s our time to serve and bring new life

To a waiting, waiting world in need.

Each new day we’ll nourish with his words.

Those who seek direction from above.

With our hands we’ll share the Master’s touch.

With our hearts we’ll spread Hiss endless love.

Until He comes and His work is done,

We’ll labor and we’ll reap.

What joy we’ll find this last time,

As we serve the King of Kings.

Heaven’s eyes smile down as we declare

Words of peace so precious and so rare.

As we reap with tenderness and care

Truth and hope bless nations everywhere.  


Text:  Don Stirling

Music:  Kurt Bestor

Arranged By:  Brian Jensen

Artist:  Felicia Sorenson

July 7th, 2014 Weekly Email

Beneamati Genitori miei,

I'm glad to hear that things are okay. I will respond to all questions in a moment, allow me to talk about things from home. (I'm trying to be more formal, but I think I'll just be me).

Mom: I'm glad the Taggarts dog made it back all right. Marcus is now 20?  I thought I was old!  Tell him Happy Birthday for me and that he now knows what I feel like...at least in age. (Dad's the only one who knows what it's like to be a missionary in the family, and just how stinkin tiring it is! )

Tell Kendra that I wish her luck with her interview and that things go well. I think she would like working at an eyeglasses store!

Dad: Busy as always. I think you and I can be considered the busiest members of the family right now! (I'm kidding mom!)

Sorry observing is going to be lonely for a while. Once I get back, I think I'll start going with you, that is if you've built my scope.  And if you haven't I'll still go with you every once in a while.

I got the message on the 05. I think that'd be a good idea. I like that car.

Both: Well, as sad as I would've been, I wouldn't want Coda to be in pain, and it would've been better for him. But I'm glad that he's still alive, and I'll get to see him when I get home.

Okay, well, here we go:

Well, what to say about this week? I'll sum it up in a few words: I am in love with L'Aquila!

This week, I've spent most of my time meeting with our investigators and meeting some of the members, so it's been a rather good week.

On Monday, we went and had family home evening with the Melone family, and we taught about faith to one of the new converts and the friend of one of the members. It went really well, and they all comitted to find a way to show their faith in Jesus Christ.

Then we also taught Iole this week. Iole is an investigator who lives in Avezzano, an hour away. She's been taking the lessons for a while now, and we taught her the Gospel of Jesus Christ this week. We went twice, once on Wednesday, and once on Saturday with members. We taught all the principles and invited her to be baptized. She said she didn't feel ready at the moment, as she wanted to know more. She did, however, pray that Heavenly Father would help her become a Mormon, so she is sincere in her desire.

This fast, aside from being for the Scherbel couple, was also, at least for us, the chance to fast for Monica, one of the friends of the members. She was an investigator for a while, but the mother has all but stopped her progress. We talked to her friends, both of who are members, and asked them to join us in a fast to soften the heart of the mother, and let Monica begin to progress in the gospel.

I feel the fast went over rather well, and I have a feeling we'll be seeing the results very shortly. We're going to be seeing Monica at the FHE tonight abnd we're going to be taking some actions, ie: asking if we could met with the mother so we could help soothe out any problems or false ideas, to help this fast work out.

Besides that, that's been our work lately. We have one other investigator who just got back into the city, but then went to Rome for the weekend, which I hear is a weekly occurance. I hope that this week we can see her, and begin to teach her agian. So, been doing a lot of finding lately. This week, because we both feel we need to find more people to teach, we're praying that the Lord will lead us to find these people he's preparing for us, and I know he will lead us to these people, or he will lead them to us. That's not really faith, I've seen these miracles happen too much, it's a testimony to me now.

So, basically, the same situation that I'm always in. The only difference is that now, I get to drink from the tap, and I'm plenty hydrated because of that, and I'm still losing weight. I'm going to be down 100 lbs. before the end of my mission easily.

Mom: Anziano Bethke is from Washington D.C. and he's really chill. He's from the same group as Calchera and Stamps (three from the same group in a row...hmm...). He's really good. He likes to go and work, and we get along well. We both like the same music style so things are good.

Okay well, that's about it for me this week...Love you!

NaNa